Joe Burrow-less Bengals show no match for Broncos' elite protection – ESPN

Bo Nix fires a go to Courtland Sutton ultimately zone to provide the Broncos a 21-3 lead going into the half. (0:27)
DENVER — Three hours earlier than Monday night time’s recreation, an ominous sky coated a lot of the downtown neighborhoods that encompass Empower Subject at Mile Excessive.
However the quirky climate within the Rocky Mountain areas can change on a whim, very like the Denver Broncos to date this season. That they had misplaced back-to-back video games — each approaching the final play — heading into their prime-time matchup in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals.
The solar finally appeared earlier than kickoff, and issues seemed a lot brighter for the house crew in a 28-3 rout. The Broncos did it with a protection that confirmed its elite potential as soon as once more — albeit in opposition to an offense with out injured quarterback Joe Burrow — and quarterback Bo Nix had his most full recreation of the season as he notched his first 300-yard passing recreation (326) of the yr.
There have been points, akin to penalties (7 for 72 yards) — the Broncos entered this weekend’s video games tied for the fourth-most penalty yardage, and Monday will not assist the totals as heart Luke Wattenberg was flagged 4 instances — and drops on offense, together with two by broad receiver Troy Franklin.
However with the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles subsequent on the docket and a visit to London the next week, the Broncos wanted to regain their steadiness, particularly Nix.
And Monday’s get-right win did simply that.
Listed here are crucial issues to know from Monday night time for each groups:

What to make of the QB efficiency: Nix entered the weekend twenty sixth within the league in QBR after a efficiency in opposition to the Chargers in Week 3, when he missed a number of big-play probabilities with overthrows to open receivers. The Broncos had a extra reigned-in method Monday, and Nix was way more settled. With slightly extra intention within the run recreation and throwing to Courtland Sutton — 81 yards receiving — Nix had a composed night time general. Save for an finish zone interception late within the first half, he confirmed extra settled footwork within the pocket and simply had his finest passing recreation of the season. His 206 passing yards in Indianapolis in Week 2 had been his season excessive.
Most stunning efficiency: Tight finish Evan Engram has handled calf and again accidents this season — he missed the Week 3 loss in Los Angeles — so he has not had a full docket of observe time within the crew’s offense. However the Broncos’ greatest free agent acquisition on offense this previous offseason continues to be searching for his bust-out recreation. By the top of the third quarter, Engram had three receptions for 18 yards and a drop on his six targets. The beleaguered Bengals’ protection struggled to get the Broncos off the sector, however the Broncos might want to discover methods to get Engram concerned — which means there will likely be video games the place they want greater than 4 catches for 29 yards from him. Coach Sean Payton has stated it is a vital matchup to win in the course of the sector in opposition to nickel defenses.
Stat to know: J.K. Dobbins‘ 101-yard dashing effort ended a regular-season streak of 37 video games for the Broncos and not using a 100-yard rusher. Latavius Murray had the final 100-yard dashing recreation for the Broncos within the 2022 season finale — 103 yards on Jan. 8, 2023, in opposition to the Chargers.
Troubling development: It is going to be misplaced in what grew to become a fairly tidy get-well win, however when the Bengals completed their opening drive with a 26-yard area aim from Evan McPherson, it meant all 4 of the Broncos’ opponents had opening-drive area objectives. The Broncos, New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the one groups within the league that haven’t scored first in a recreation this season. — Jeff Legwold
Subsequent recreation: at Philadelphia Eagles (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)
By successful their first two video games of the season, the Bengals have been off to their finest begin throughout coach Zac Taylor’s tenure. However that seems like a distant reminiscence, though it was simply two weeks in the past.
Final week, Cincinnati was handed its worst loss in franchise historical past, a 38-point defeat on the street in opposition to the Vikings. Monday’s loss to the Broncos did not characteristic the turnovers that plagued Cincinnati every week in the past, however the longer the sport went on, the extra it carried the identical vibe. Each video games had one factor in frequent: The offense mustered simply three factors by way of the primary three quarters.
However this defeat may very well be extra regarding. This was as complete a defeat because the Bengals have suffered in a while. Cincinnati’s offense by no means bought rolling. The protection was gashed all through the night time. And the Bengals have been whistled for 11 penalties for 65 yards, with a number of of these coming whereas the end result was nonetheless in query. And it’ll not get any simpler with video games in opposition to NFC powers Detroit and Inexperienced Bay developing subsequent.
What to make of the QB efficiency: Jake Browning tried to be aggressive early and push the ball downfield, however by way of three quarters, he did not have a ton of success. Throughout that span, he was 11-of-20 passing for 106 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions. On throws of 10 or extra air yards, Browning was 2-of-7 passing, based on Subsequent Gen Stats. Aside from one drive, the offense was out of kinds for a bulk of the night. He completed 14-of-25 for 125 yards with no TDs or interceptions.
Troubling development: The Bengals have been blown out in back-to-back first halves. Previously two video games in opposition to Denver and Minnesota, Cincinnati was outscored a mixed 55-6 within the first half, together with 21-3 on Monday. Cincinnati was outgained by 210 yards within the first half because the Bengals surrendered greater than 300 yards for the second time up to now three years.
Stat to know: Cincinnati’s offense was nonexistent in the course of the sport when Denver gained management. Excluding penalties, the Bengals gained 21 yards on 18 offensive performs throughout 5 full drives that spanned the primary and third quarters. Throughout Browning’s earlier stint as a beginning quarterback in 2023, Cincinnati’s offense was nonetheless efficient. Via two video games, that has not been the case. — Ben Child
Subsequent recreation: vs. Detroit Lions (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday)

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